Immune System Malfunction
Immune system cells called T lymphocytes (T cells) use special receptors on their surfaces to identify foreign microbes, such as bacteria and viruses. Usually, T cells that react to the tissues of the body are destroyed by the thymus, an organ of the immune system located behind the breastbone. The ‘self-attacking’ T cells that escape destruction may be activated by a trigger. These T cells then instruct B lymphocytes (B cells) to make “auto-antibodies” against the particular tissue, organ or system.